THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Thursday, I met with Democratic
and Republican members of Congress to discuss the threat posed by the
Iraqi regime. The security of our country is the commitment of both
political parties, and the responsibility of both the President and the
Congress. We are united in our determination to confront this urgent
threat to America.

We're moving toward a strong resolution authorizing the use of
force, if necessary, to defend our national security interests against
the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. And by passing this resolution we
will send a clear message to the world community and to the Iraqi
regime the demands of the United Nations Security Council must be
followed: the Iraqi dictator must be disarmed. These requirements
will be met, or they will be enforced.

The danger to our country is grave and it is growing. The Iraqi
regime possesses biological and chemical weapons, is rebuilding the
facilities to make more and, according to the British government, could
launch a biological or chemical attack in as little as 45 minutes after
the order is given. The regime has long-standing and continuing ties
to terrorist groups, and there are al Qaeda terrorists inside Iraq.
This regime is seeking a nuclear bomb, and with fissile material could
build one within a year.

Iraq has already used weapons of mass death against another country
and against its own citizens. The Iraqi regime practices the rape of
women as a method of intimidation, and the torture of dissenters and
their children. And for more than a decade, that regime has answered
Security Council resolutions with defiance and bad faith and
deception.

We know that the Iraqi regime is led by a dangerous and brutal
man. We know he is actively seeking the destructive technologies to
match his hatred. And we know that he must be stopped. The dangers we
face will only worsen from month to month and year to year. To ignore
these threats is to encourage them -- and when they have fully
materialized, it may be too late to protect ourselves and our allies.
By then, the Iraqi dictator will have had the means to terrorize and
dominate the region, and each passing day could be the one on which the
Iraqi regime gives anthrax or VX nerve gas or someday a nuclear weapon
to a terrorist group.

We refuse to live in this future of fear. We are determined to
build a future of security and peace for ourselves and for the world.
The members of Congress from both political parties with whom I met
this week are committed to American leadership for the good of all
nations. The resolution we are producing will be an instrument of that
leadership.

I appreciate the spirit in which members of Congress are
considering this vital issue. We're making progress, we are nearing
agreement, and soon we will speak with one voice.